OUR RAILWAYS.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume XLVII, Issue 8049, 14 February 1906, Page 2

OUR RAILWAYS.

CONFERENCE AT PALMERSTON. PER I'BKSS ASSOCIATION Palmkiibton Nobth, February 13. A conference was held here to-day of representatives from Napier, Dannevirke, Woodvillc, Wairarapa, Pahiatua, Fcilding, Foxton and Wanganui Chambers of Commerce to discuss intei'-dis. ti'ict railway service. The principal resolutions pissed wore as follows: " That in the opinion of the Conference, it is essential to the better management of railway systems of the North Island. Ilial the State should a| uuce undertake the purchase of ,thc property of the Wellington and Mimawatu Railway Company." " That the attention of the Railway Department be called to the continual over-crowding of mail trains, and the lack of lavatory accommodation provided, and that it is a request* to the General Manager of Railways that improved facilities in these respects be provided."

" That the department be asked to at once establish the tablet system on the Woodvillc and Taihape - Marlon sections."

" That in the opinion of this conference, inquiries into all railway accidents involving the risk of human life be held in public, aud that officials under suspension in connection therewith be, if they so desire, represented at such inquiries of the officials, by one of their organisations."

Tbe mover, in supporting this resolution and that in connection with the Mataniata accident, where appalling loss of life was narrowly avoided, said the inquiry was held in camera, and the dismissals ordered by officials, the president of whom was employed in the Traflic Superintendent's office, which, morally speaking, was on its trial for crossing a train, without adequate safeguards, at a flag station within a short distance of two proper crossing stations. In support of his contention that employers under suspension; should be represented by a member of their own organisations, lie said that the ordinary railway man was quite unable lo hold his own at an inquiry, and was apt to " throw up the sponge" in the presence of heads of the Department. What was wauled was that the facts should come out, in the public interests, and the best way to accomplish that was nn inquiry above board and out iu the open.